Federal Reserve: Fed Listens Initiative to Continue in 2021 Focused on the Economic Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced that it would continue its Fed Listens initiative in 2021 to learn from a broad range of individuals, households, and communities about the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. “During the Federal Reserve’s 2019 monetary policy framework review, the Fed Listens series of events provided valuable feedback from a broad range of groups…
ABA: New Report Shows Credit Card Rewards Provide Value to Consumers of All Income Levels, Merchants
New study shows why so many consumers choose to participate in rewards programs Credit card rewards are accessible, valuable, and well-understood by consumers across all income levels according to a new report from the American Bankers Association. ABA examined rewards cards and their value to various participants in the credit card market, including merchants and consumers, segmented…
SBA: Council on Underserved Communities Reconvened
Administrator Guzman restores Council to address the immediate needs and concerns of underserved and underrepresented communities hit hard by COVID-19 The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today that it is reconvening the Council on Underserved Communities (CUC) under the authority of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). In conjunction with the Biden-Harris Administration’s agenda, the restoration of…
FHFA: First Quarter 2021 Foreclosure Prevention and Refinance Report Released
More than 5.8 million homeowners helped since conservatorship The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today released its first quarter 2021 Foreclosure Prevention and Refinance Report, which shows that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) completed 224,646 foreclosure prevention actions in the first quarter of 2021, bringing the total number of homeowners who have been…
HUD: Additional Steps Taken to Free Up Long-Awaited Disaster Recovery Funds for Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
Department publishes Federal Register notice governing the use of $2 billion in CDBG-DR for a more resilient, efficient, reliable, and sustainable electric power system in Puerto Rico and USVI The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today published a Federal Register notice governing the use of $2 billion in Community Development Block Grant…
HUD: FHA Takes Steps to Remove Barriers to Homeownership for Those with Student Loan Debt
Updates to Single Family student loan monthly payment calculation expand access to FHA-insured mortgage financing for creditworthy individuals, particularly in communities of color The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) on Friday announced updates to its student loan monthly payment calculations to take steps to remove barriers and provide more access to affordable single family FHA-insured mortgage financing for…
Census Bureau: Small Business Pulse Survey Phase 5 Weekly Data Released
The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from the fifth phase of the Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS). Data collection began May 17. Results will be released weekly May 27 to July 22. The SBPS includes questions on small business operations and finances, requests and receipt of assistance, COVID-19 vaccinations and testing, measures of overall well-being, and…
FFIEC: 2020 Data on Mortgage Lending Availability Announced
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) today announced the availability of data on 2020 mortgage lending transactions at 4,475 U.S. financial institutions reported under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). Covered institutions include banks, savings associations, credit unions, and mortgage companies. The HMDA data are the most comprehensive publicly available information on mortgage market…
EDA: $6.8 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance Invested to Support Business Expansion and Development in St. George, SC
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $6.8 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to Dorchester County, South Carolina, to make roadway improvements at the Ridgeville Industrial Campus needed to support business attraction and expansion efforts and bolster the region’s ability to withstand…
EDA: $5.5 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance Invested to Build Critical Infrastructure and Boost Rural Workforce and Entrepreneurial Training Efforts in Texas
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $5.5 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants to help the state of Texas prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. “President Biden is committed to supporting communities as they not only recover from the pandemic but…